A House proposal would severely limit defense officials’ ability to revoke battlefield valor awards, which supporters say rightly preserves the record of their wartime heroism.

As part of the annual defense authorization bill debate, House Armed Services Committee lawmakers last week approved new rules that would allow military valor awards to be rescinded only if later evidence shows the honor was given improperly, or if the service member is later convicted of a serious violent felony.

“We’re talking about hijacking an airplane, rape, murder and so on,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. “Then the valor award can be revoked.”